I want to try making cabs, the finished round diameter needs to be about 17-20mm as I hope to use one of my cobweb sections on the reverse. I have never made a cab before so not sure what size cab mandrel to get. Logic says I should take the 3/4" size so I go up to the edge with the glass and get the size cab I want though I cant help thinking that sounds way too simple!
So, is that the right way to go about it or would I be better off with the next size up?
Thanks
Helen
the larger the mandrel the more difficult they are to use i have found !!....i would go for either the smallest one from tuffers /off mandrel that fits the bill.... or the ones from mango are really good but only in one size (at the moment?) so if a mango one is big enough that's your best bet
and there seams to have been a run on them in both shops so maybe see if you could borrow one ?
if you have a kiln try making some out of broken or 2nds beads using slumping its a good way of using some that otherwise would be chucked
Quote from: sarah t on September 15, 2011, 10:30:03 AM
the larger the mandrel the more difficult they are to use i have found !!....i would go for either the smallest one from tuffers /off mandrel that fits the bill.... or the ones from mango are really good but only in one size (at the moment?) so if a mango one is big enough that's your best bet
and there seams to have been a run on them in both shops so maybe see if you could borrow one ?
if you have a kiln try making some out of broken or 2nds beads using slumping its a good way of using some that otherwise would be chucked
I did search off amdrel are out, couldnt see any on Martins or Mango beads. Will have a go at slumping as I have rather a large supply of cracked and duff beads! I Just need a firing schedule if anyone has any suggestions?
Might be a better idea to see if some of the creative people on here may be able to sell me a cab 17mm - 20mm max round that I could try the design on before I venture into yet another area!
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=380.0
a link to making cabs from beads :)
Quote from: Margram on September 15, 2011, 11:31:13 AM
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=380.0
a link to making cabs from beads :)
Brilliant, thank you for this. Might not need a cab mandrel afterall! Rubbish at programming even my little bead cube so when hubby gets in he can help me as his glass fusing kiln is out of action waiting a part, t'will give him smething glassy to do!
You can always just make them on the end of a mandrel and shape in a button tool or press. Very easy to get the right size that way.
Yup - I'd agree with trying on a mandrel first. They're easy to make.
i did some in the cube recently and used prog 2 but took it up to 800c and let soak for 30 mins than ramp down .....bit scarry it getting that hot but results were ok ......the ones at the back did better as its hotter there so put bigger ones at the back and make sure they wont touch the actual kiln inside when they slump
i did a measure and the mango mandrels are about the right size ...
http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=700&category_id=26&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
this is what i scribbled on the paper ...hope it helps hubby ;)
step 1 250
step 2 800
step 3 00.30
step 4 60
step 5 1 hour
step 6 250
step 7 30 mins
step 8 end
George and Heather - not sure I have the ability to manage on the end of a mandrel, the widest one is 5mm wont the glass just gloop down? The only press I have is a lentil and I see the principle for the top its just I dont get the bottom bit!
Sarah - thank for the schedule, sure hubby will understand and I looked in Mango beads but missed the mandrels as looked in tools (duh!) Think I will just order one for starters
Thanks again everyone and stand by for some rubbish cabs!
Mandrel end is actually very easy - it must be if even I can do it! It's exactly like making a ring topper - you could take a look at Sabine's excellent tutorial for this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76092548/lampwork-tutorial-e-book-ring-tops
I make them on 2mm mandrels - you don't have to worry about the bottom really! Getting the whole thing really hot and glooping the top into the press/button tool/doming block to shape makes the bottom fairly even, and you can just use a marver on the underneath to level it off.
Thanks George and Heather, I'm off to buy the tut sounds like its going to cover lots and I want to understand the interchangable system too so well worth it
Thanks
Helen
Ears ringing, and thank you ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Enchanted Cobwebs on September 15, 2011, 11:22:21 AM
Quote from: sarah t on September 15, 2011, 10:30:03 AM
the larger the mandrel the more difficult they are to use i have found !!....i would go for either the smallest one from tuffers /off mandrel that fits the bill.... or the ones from mango are really good but only in one size (at the moment?) so if a mango one is big enough that's your best bet
and there seams to have been a run on them in both shops so maybe see if you could borrow one ?
if you have a kiln try making some out of broken or 2nds beads using slumping its a good way of using some that otherwise would be chucked
Sorry you couldn't find them ... but i agree the end of a mandrel is easy to do to start with .. heres the link for future reference http://www.mangobeads.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=26&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1
I did search off amdrel are out, couldnt see any on Martins or Mango beads. Will have a go at slumping as I have rather a large supply of cracked and duff beads! I Just need a firing schedule if anyone has any suggestions?
Might be a better idea to see if some of the creative people on here may be able to sell me a cab 17mm - 20mm max round that I could try the design on before I venture into yet another area!
Well...I had a go making a cab on the end of a mandrel and being the cautious type went for the 5mm mandrel. It worked, then again and again! Today I ventured to the 2mm ones and no mishaps at all! I'm uing my doming block to shape so they are rather high cabs but seem perfectly fine
Just now need to manage pointing them toward me with my dodgy hand so I can decorate! Thanks for the suggestions and help everyone. I love Sabine's tutorial I can dfinitely recommend it cause its really helpful
Yay! Glad you're having success!! ;D ;D ;D